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Percentage Aptitude Questions: Practice with Answers & Tips

06 Feb 2026
6 min read

Key Takeaways From the Blog

  • Percentage aptitude questions are common in competitive exams and job assessments.
  • Mastering basics like conversion, increase/decrease, and shortcuts is crucial.
  • Practice with a wide range of question types, including profit/loss and mixtures.
  • Use downloadable resources and mock tests to improve your skills.
  • Regular revision and error analysis help boost accuracy and confidence.
  • Real-life application of percentages makes this skill valuable beyond exams.

Introduction

Percentages are an essential concept in quantitative aptitude, frequently appearing in competitive exams, job interviews, and academic assessments. Whether you’re preparing for a banking exam, campus placement, or government recruitment test, a strong understanding of percentage questions for aptitude can give you a significant advantage. These questions test not only your mathematical skills but also your ability to apply logic and reasoning in real-world scenarios.

Percentage aptitude questions can range from straightforward calculations to more complex problems involving profit and loss, population growth, discounts, or comparative analysis. Mastering this topic not only helps you solve exam questions efficiently but also equips you to handle practical situations in everyday life—such as managing finances, interpreting data, or making informed decisions. In this article, we’ll explore common types of percentage questions, share useful tips, and provide sample problems with solutions to help you practice and improve.

What Are Percentage Aptitude Questions?

Percentage aptitude questions test your ability to calculate, interpret, and apply percentages in various scenarios. These questions often appear in exams like CAT, SSC, Bank PO, and campus placements. You may encounter percentage MCQ or even difficult percentage questions ranging from simple calculations to complex word problems involving profit and loss, population growth, discounts, and more.

Quick Recap: Understanding the variety and purpose of percentage aptitude questions is your first step toward mastering them for exams and practical use.

Key Topics of Percentage Questions

Percentage aptitude questions for placement and exams cover a wide range of concepts that are essential for both test success and real-life problem solving. Understanding these key topics will help you tackle different types of aptitude percentage problems with confidence. Below are the main areas you should focus on when preparing for aptitude questions on percentage:

  1. Basic percentage calculation
    Finding what a given percentage of a number is, or expressing a number as a percentage of another number.
  2. Conversion between fractions, decimals, and percentages
    Changing values from fractions or decimals to percentages and vice versa for easier calculation and comparison.
  3. Percentage increase and decrease
    Calculating how much a quantity grows or reduces by a certain percentage, and determining the new value after the change.
  4. Successive percentage changes
    Applying more than one percentage increase or decrease to a number in sequence and finding the overall effect.
  5. Profit, loss, and discount calculations
    Using percentages to solve problems related to selling price, cost price, profit, loss, and discounts in transactions.
  6. Population and salary changes (growth or reduction)
    Calculating new population or salary figures after a percentage increase or decrease over one or multiple periods.
  7. Exam scores and pass/fail percentages
    Determining the required marks to pass, overall percentage scores, or analyzing results using given percentage criteria.
  8. Comparative percentages and ratio analysis
    Comparing two or more quantities using percentages, or finding the percentage difference between them.
  9. Mixtures and solution problems involving percentages
    Solving problems where the concentration or composition of mixtures or solutions is given or required in percentage terms.
  10. Shortcuts and tricks for quick percentage calculations
    Applying commonly used formulas, math techniques, and shortcuts to solve percentage problems efficiently.

What We Learned So Far

  • Mastery of key topics is crucial for effective problem solving.
  • Real exam questions often combine several of these topics.
  • Regular practice across all areas strengthens your overall aptitude.

Tricks for Solving Aptitude Test Percentage Questions

  • Understand the Basics: Remember that percentage means “per hundred.” For example, 25% means 25 out of 100.
  • Convert to Decimals or Fractions: Calculations become easier when you convert percentages to decimals (e.g., 20% = 0.2) or fractions (e.g., 50% = 1/2).
  • Use the Formula:
    Percentage = (Value / Total) × 100
  • Practice Shortcuts: For successive percentage changes, use the formula:
    Net Change = x + y + (xy/100), where x and y are the percentage changes.
  • Read Carefully: Pay close attention to what the question is asking—whether it’s asking for an increase, decrease, or the original value.

Quick Note: Building speed and accuracy with these tips will give you an edge in time-pressured test environments.

Sample Percentage Aptitude Questions with Solutions

Practicing a wide range of percentage aptitude questions is the best way to master this topic. Below, you’ll find a variety of sample problems covering all the key concepts, along with clear answers and explanations to help you learn and improve. Use these examples to test your understanding and sharpen your problem-solving skills. You can also try an online aptitude test on percentage or a percentage mock test for extra practice.

Basic Percentage Calculations

  1. What is 25% of 200?
    Answer:
    50
    Explanation: 25% of 200 = (25/100) × 200 = 50
  2. Express 0.4 as a percentage.
    Answer:
    40%
    Explanation: 0.4 × 100 = 40%
  3. What percent of 80 is 32?
    Answer:
    40%
    Explanation: (32/80) × 100 = 40%
  4. Convert 3/5 to a percentage.
    Answer:
    60%
    Explanation: (3/5) × 100 = 60%
  5. If 15 is what percent of 60?
    Answer:
    25%
    Explanation: (15/60) × 100 = 25%
  6. What is 12% of 250?
    Answer:
    30
    Explanation: (12/100) × 250 = 30
  7. Find 75% of 320.
    Answer:
    240
    Explanation: (75/100) × 320 = 240
  8. Express 7/20 as a percentage.
    Answer:
    35%
    Explanation: (7/20) × 100 = 35%
  9. What is 0.02 as a percentage?
    Answer:
    2%
    Explanation: 0.02 × 100 = 2%
  10. If 18 is 60% of a number, what is the number?
    Answer:
    30
    Explanation: 18 = 0.6 × number → number = 18/0.6 = 30

Percentage Increase and Decrease

  1. Increase 80 by 25%.
    Answer:
    100
    Explanation: 80 + (25/100) × 80 = 80 + 20 = 100
  2. Decrease 200 by 20%.
    Answer:
    160
    Explanation: 200 − (20/100) × 200 = 200 − 40 = 160
  3. A number is increased from 150 to 180. What is the percentage increase?
    Answer:
    20%
    Explanation: (180−150)/150 × 100 = 30/150 × 100 = 20%
  4. A value drops from 500 to 350. What is the percentage decrease?
    Answer:
    30%
    Explanation: (500−350)/500 × 100 = 150/500 × 100 = 30%
  5. If a price is increased by 40% and then decreased by 30%, what is the net percentage change?
    Answer:
    2% increase
    Explanation: Net change = x + y + (xy/100) = 40 + (−30) + (40×(−30)/100) = 10 − 12 = −2% (So, 2% decrease)
  6. A quantity is first increased by 10% and then decreased by 10%. What is the net change?
    Answer:
    1% decrease
    Explanation: Net change = 10 + (−10) + (10×(−10)/100) = 0 − 1 = −1%
  7. The price of a shirt is ₹400. After a 25% discount, what is the sale price?
    Answer:
    ₹300
    Explanation: 25% of 400 = 100; 400 − 100 = 300
  8. A number is decreased by 20% and then increased by 25%. What is the net percentage change?
    Answer:
    0%
    Explanation: Net change = −20 + 25 + (−20×25/100) = 5 − 5 = 0%
  9. The population of a town increased from 10,000 to 11,500. What is the percentage increase?
    Answer:
    15%
    Explanation: (11,500−10,000)/10,000 × 100 = 1,500/10,000 × 100 = 15%
  10. If the value of a machine depreciates by 10% every year, what will be its value after 2 years if its present value is ₹1,000?
    Answer:
    ₹810
    Explanation: Year 1: 1,000 × 0.9 = 900; Year 2: 900 × 0.9 = 810

Application: Profit, Loss, and Discounts

  1. A shopkeeper buys an item for ₹200 and sells it for ₹250. What is the profit percentage?
    Answer:
    25%
    Explanation: Profit = 50; (50/200) × 100 = 25%
  2. An item is sold at a 10% loss for ₹180. What was its cost price?
    Answer:
    ₹200
    Explanation: Let CP = x; x − 0.1x = 180 → 0.9x = 180 → x = 200
  3. A product is marked at ₹500 and sold for ₹400. What is the discount percentage?
    Answer:
    20%
    Explanation: (500−400)/500 × 100 = 100/500 × 100 = 20%
  4. A trader marks his goods 30% above cost price and allows a discount of 10%. What is his profit percentage?
    Answer:
    17%
    Explanation: Let CP = 100; Marked Price = 130; Selling Price = 130 − 13 = 117; Profit = 17%
  5. If a shopkeeper sells an item at a 20% profit and the cost price is ₹250, what is the selling price?
    Answer:
    ₹300
    Explanation: 250 + (20/100)×250 = 250 + 50 = 300
  6. A watch costing ₹400 is sold at a loss of 15%. What is the selling price?
    Answer:
    ₹340
    Explanation: 400 − (15/100)×400 = 400 − 60 = 340
  7. A man sells an article for ₹540 at a 10% loss. What was the cost price?
    Answer:
    ₹600
    Explanation: 540 = 0.9 × CP → CP = 540/0.9 = 600
  8. A product is sold at a 25% profit. If the cost price is ₹80, what is the selling price?
    Answer:
    ₹100
    Explanation: 80 + 0.25×80 = 100
  9. A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above cost and allows a discount of 20%. Find his profit percentage.
    Answer:
    12%
    Explanation: Let CP = 100; MP = 140; SP = 140 − 28 = 112; Profit = 12%
  10. A trader buys a cycle for ₹1,200 and sells it at a loss of 8%. Find the selling price.
    Answer:
    ₹1,104
    Explanation: 1,200 − (8/100)×1,200 = 1,200 − 96 = 1,104

Population and Salary Changes

  1. If the population of a city increases by 5% annually, what will be the population after 2 years if the current population is 20,000?
    Answer:
    22,050
    Explanation: Year 1: 20,000×1.05 = 21,000; Year 2: 21,000×1.05 = 22,050
  2. A salary of ₹15,000 is increased by 10% and then by 20%. What is the final salary?
    Answer:
    ₹19,800
    Explanation: First increase: 15,000×1.10 = 16,500; Second: 16,500×1.20 = 19,800
  3. If a population decreases by 12% in one year, what is the population next year if it is currently 40,000?
    Answer:
    35,200
    Explanation: 40,000×0.88 = 35,200
  4. A man’s salary is ₹25,000. It is first increased by 8%, then reduced by 5%. What is his final salary?
    Answer:
    ₹25,460
    Explanation: 25,000×1.08 = 27,000; 27,000×0.95 = 25,650
  5. A town’s population increases by 10% for the first year and decreases by 10% the next. What is the net change after 2 years if the starting population is 5,000?
    Answer:
    4,950
    Explanation: Year 1: 5,000×1.10 = 5,500; Year 2: 5,500×0.90 = 4,950
  6. A worker’s salary is decreased by 20% and then increased by 25%. What is the net percentage change?
    Answer:
    0%
    Explanation: Net change = −20 + 25 + (−20×25/100) = 5 − 5 = 0%
  7. If a population of 30,000 increases by 15% each year, what is the population after 2 years?
    Answer:
    39,675
    Explanation: Year 1: 30,000×1.15 = 34,500; Year 2: 34,500×1.15 = 39,675
  8. A salary of ₹18,000 is increased by 12%. What is the new salary?
    Answer:
    ₹20,160
    Explanation: 18,000×1.12 = 20,160
  9. If a population is reduced by 5% annually, what is the population after 3 years if the present population is 10,000?
    Answer:
    8,573
    Explanation: 10,000×0.95×0.95×0.95 = 8,573
  10. A man’s monthly salary is ₹25,000. If he spends 60% of it, how much does he save?
    Answer:
    ₹10,000
    Explanation: 100% − 60% = 40%; 25,000×0.40 = 10,000

Exam Scores and Pass Percentages

  1. If a student scores 60 out of 80, what is his percentage score?
    Answer:
    75%
    Explanation: (60/80)×100 = 75%
  2. A student needs 40% to pass. If the exam is out of 200 marks, how many marks are needed to pass?
    Answer:
    80
    Explanation: (40/100)×200 = 80
  3. A student scores 72 marks in an exam and obtains 90%. What is the total marks?
    Answer:
    80
    Explanation: 72 = 0.9×total; total = 72/0.9 = 80
  4. If 30% students passed in Maths, 50% in English and 10% in both, what percentage failed in both?
    Answer:
    30%
    Explanation: Passed at least one = 30+50−10 = 70; Failed in both = 100−70 = 30%
  5. A student needs to score at least 50% to pass. If he scores 120 marks and fails by 30 marks, what are the maximum marks?
    Answer:
    300
    Explanation: Passing marks = 120+30=150; 50% of total = 150 → total = 300
  6. If a student scores 40% in the first paper out of 150 marks and 60% in the second out of 200 marks, what is his overall percentage?
    Answer:
    52.22%
    Explanation: First: 60; Second: 120; Total: 180/350 × 100 = 51.43%
  7. If 80% of students pass in English, 70% in Maths and 60% in both, what percent failed in both?
    Answer:
    10%
    Explanation: Passed at least one = 80+70−60=90; Failed in both = 100−90 = 10%
  8. In an exam of 500 marks, a student gets 400. What is his percentage?
    Answer:
    80%
    Explanation: (400/500)×100 = 80%
  9. If 75% of a class of 40 students passed, how many failed?
    Answer:
    10
    Explanation: 75% of 40 = 30 passed; 40−30 = 10 failed
  10. If a student scores 35% and gets 140 marks, what are the maximum marks?
    Answer:
    400
    Explanation: 140 = 0.35×total; total = 140/0.35 = 400

Comparative Percentages & Mixtures

  1. What is the percentage increase from 40 to 50?
    Answer:
    25%
    Explanation: (50−40)/40 × 100 = 25%
  2. A’s salary is 20% more than B’s. If B’s salary is ₹15,000, what is A’s salary?
    Answer:
    ₹18,000
    Explanation: 15,000 + 0.2×15,000 = 18,000
  3. If A is 25% less than B, and B is 80, what is A?
    Answer:
    60
    Explanation: A = 80 − 0.25×80 = 60
  4. The price of sugar is increased by 10%. By what percent should consumption be reduced to keep the expenditure same?
    Answer:
    9.09%
    Explanation: Reduction = (10/110)×100 = 9.09%
  5. A mixture contains 30% alcohol. How much water should be added to 40 liters of mixture to reduce alcohol to 20%?
    Answer:
    20 liters
    Explanation: Alcohol = 12L; Let x = water added; 12/(40+x) = 0.2 → x = 20
  6. If the price of a commodity falls by 20%, how much more can be bought for the same money?
    Answer:
    25% more
    Explanation: Increase = (20/80)×100 = 25%
  7. A man’s income is 25% more than another’s. By what percent is the other’s income less than the first?
    Answer:
    20%
    Explanation: Let A = 125, B = 100; Difference = 25/125 × 100 = 20%
  8. If the price of petrol increases from ₹50 to ₹60, by what percent must consumption decrease to keep expenditure same?
    Answer:
    16.67%
    Explanation: Reduction = (10/60)×100 = 16.67%
  9. A solution contains 40% acid. How much water should be added to 100 ml to make it 25% acid?
    Answer:
    60 ml
    Explanation: Acid = 40 ml; 40/(100+x) = 0.25 → x = 60
  10. If a number is 20% more than another number, by what percent is the second number less than the first?
    Answer:
    16.67%
    Explanation: Let first = 120, second = 100; Decrease = (20/120)×100 = 16.67%

What We Learned So Far

  • Exposure to varied question types prepares you for any exam scenario.
  • Reviewing solutions helps identify patterns and common tricks.
  • Practicing with explanations improves conceptual clarity.

Practical Tips for Preparing Percentage Questions

  • Master the Basics: Ensure you have a strong grasp of basic percentage formulas and conversions between percentages, decimals, and fractions.
  • Practice Regularly: Work through a variety of percentage problems daily to build speed and accuracy.
  • Understand the Language: Carefully read each question to identify exactly what is being asked—look out for words like “increase,” “decrease,” “more than,” and “less than.”
  • Use Shortcuts and Tricks: Learn and apply mental math techniques and shortcut formulas for successive percentage changes and quick calculations.
  • Analyze Mistakes: Review your errors to understand where you went wrong and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
  • Simulate Exam Conditions: Time yourself while practicing sets of questions to improve your ability to solve problems under pressure.
  • Mix Problem Types: Practice questions from all key topics—basic calculations, profit & loss, mixtures, comparative percentages, and exam score scenarios—to ensure comprehensive preparation.
  • Revise Regularly: Periodically revisit important concepts, formulas, and previously solved questions to reinforce your learning.
  • Seek Clarification: If you’re stuck on a concept or question, don’t hesitate to ask for help or look up explanations to build a solid foundation.

Quick Tip: By following these tips, you’ll enhance your problem-solving abilities and approach percentage questions with greater confidence in any exam or real-life scenario.

Downloadable Resources and PDFs

If you’re looking for more percentage aptitude questions for TCS or Infosys, enhance your preparation with easily accessible offline materials. Here’s how these resources can support your study:

  • Practice Anytime, Anywhere: Downloadable PDFs and eBooks let you solve percentage aptitude questions even without internet access.
  • Comprehensive Question Banks: Many resources include a wide variety of question types, answer keys, and detailed explanations.
  • Structured Revision: Organized practice sets and quizzes in PDF format help you systematically review key concepts.
  • Trusted Sources: Look for materials from reputable educational websites and exam prep platforms to ensure quality and accuracy.

Bottom Line: Using these resources alongside your regular practice can make your study routine more flexible and effective.

Conclusion

Percentage aptitude questions are a staple of quantitative aptitude sections in competitive exams. By understanding the concepts, practicing regularly, and using effective shortcuts, you can improve your performance and boost your confidence. Start practicing today to ace your next exam!

Why It Matters

Percentage aptitude questions are fundamental to success in quantitative exams and play a vital role in everyday decision-making. Mastering this topic improves not only your test scores but also your real-world analytical skills.

Practical Advice for Learners

  • Start with basics and gradually tackle more complex problems.
  • Use a mix of online and offline resources for comprehensive practice.
  • Time yourself during practice to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Review explanations for all practice questions, not just the ones you get wrong.
  • Join study groups or forums to discuss tricky problems.
  • Regularly revisit key concepts and formulas to keep them fresh.
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